The Manitoba Co-operator is searching for people who took part in the Rural STEP program, which began in 1973 and ran until the late 1970s. We would like to interview you as part of a story looking back on the program and its impact.
The program hired Grade 11-12 students onto work crews, each supervised by a university student. Regional agriculture ‘reps’ and community leaders accepted applications from local farmers and community groups for projects like barn painting, shed building and maintenance work. Crews were then hired to work on those projects for up to two weeks.
An offshoot program also hired university students for farm work or research projects.
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The program’s stated goal was to give young people job opportunities in their home communities in the hope it might foster the desire or ability to stay in those rural areas rather than moving to cities for work.
If you took part in this program, the Co-operator would like to hear about your experience. Please email Geralyn Wichers at [email protected] or call 1-431-688-1834.
